The All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly rejected allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) linking it to a reported shooting involving ADC members in Edo State, describing the opposition party as “its own nemesis” and accusing it of orchestrating its political misfortune.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party characterised the ADC’s claim as “utterly delusional,” arguing that it was made without regard for due process or the outcome of investigations by security agencies. The APC faulted the opposition party for rushing to apportion blame even before law enforcement authorities had concluded preliminary inquiries into the incident.
The party criticised what it described as the ADC’s attempt to assume the roles of accuser, investigator, prosecutor and judge in a matter that remains under official scrutiny. According to the APC, such conduct undermines democratic norms and the rule of law.
Particularly contentious, the APC noted, was the ADC’s reference in its February 25 statement to alleged “acts of terrorism by the ruling APC.” The party described the characterisation as reckless and irresponsible, warning that invoking terrorism in partisan disputes trivialises Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations and diminishes the sacrifices of security personnel confronting genuine threats across the country.
While distancing itself from the incident, the APC condemned violence in the political arena, describing the reported shooting in Edo State as unacceptable. It called on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant authorities to undertake a thorough and expeditious investigation to ensure that perpetrators are identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The statement further urged investigators to examine internal developments within the ADC, alleging that the opposition party has been grappling with leadership tussles and factional disputes that could have contributed to the crisis. The APC insisted it had no connection whatsoever to the incident and rejected any attempt to associate it with what it termed the ADC’s “internal crises.”
Reiterating its focus on governance and consolidation, the ruling party pointed to what it described as recent electoral successes, including victories in the Federal Capital Territory municipal polls, and constituency elections in Rivers and Kano states. It expressed gratitude to voters in those states for what it called a renewed vote of confidence in the party and in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The APC concluded by reaffirming its commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and delivering on its mandate, pledging that both the party and the President remain steadfast in building a more resilient and prosperous Nigeria for all citizens.
